23 Apr 2016

In recent weeks, Sheyi Ojo, Brad Smith, and Kevin Stewart have made their Premier League debuts for Liverpool, and with Newcastle due at Anfield this afternoon, is Klopp about to hand another of the club's young players about to follow suit?

Cameron Brannagan hasn't played for Liverpool since January, but he trained with the first-team on Friday, which suggests that he's in contention for a place in the match-day squad.

For whatever reason, Klopp has ignored Brannagan for the last two months, but despite his lack of action, at least one massive club is reportedly interested in the combative midfielder. Earlier this month, The Mirror claimed:

"Barcelona are interested in Liverpool youngster Cameron Brannagan. Barca are prodigious in scouting the world’s best young players and the Reds and Brannagan caught Barca’s eye when their youth team played Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League".

It sounds improbable, but you never know (!)

As for Newcastle: With injuries depleting Liverpool's midfield options, and a massive Europa League semi-final coming up, there's clearly an opportunity for Klopp to utilise Brannagan today. Plus, in his pre-Newcastle press conference, Klopp described Brannagan as an 'outstanding talent', which arguably shows that he's in his thoughts for the game. Possible lineup (with players rested for Villareal):